Ernest Hilaire pledges to tackle crime situation on cruise ships

Castries, Saint Lucia: The Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the Minister of Tourism Ernest Hilaire, expressed his concern and opinion regarding a cruise ship visitor who travelled to Saint Lucia with a firearm at the weekend. 

It is to be noted that the deputy prime minister of Saint Lucia is also a member of parliament serving for Castries South.

He explained that he could not disclose all the details, but he said that the authorities had discussed the problem of increasing crimes in the country during a regular pre-Cabinet press briefing on Monday. “He had, from what I was told, the firearm in his sack, his shoulder bag”, Minister Hilaire stated. 

He further added that the police are involved in the matter and have also conducted anti-crime exercises to combat such crimes.

“In a sense, it showed that the systems work because he had been to two previous ports and it had not been discovered, but of course, it was discovered in Saint Lucia and the police, in keeping with the protocols, dealt with the matter”, added deputy prime minister. 

Noting this, Minister Hilaire made it clear that the persons who carried or occupied firearms illegally would have to face the consequences. They will be punished according to the law. 

Further, Castries South MP said that the country doesn’t allow the importing or exporting of weapons in a wrong manner. 

As per the reports, the firearm incident involved an American National who arrived in Saint Lucia, and during the security check, the officials discovered a Glock handgun from him. 

Notably, the visitor had an expired permit for the firearm, which was seized by police. However, they allowed him to leave. If sources are to be believed, it is said that the handgun will be returned to the owner at his expense. 

Additionally, such incidents put the security and safety of passengers at risk. Tourists are concerned about why the cruise ship passenger walked with his lawful firearm. The people carrying firearms with expired licenses should be arrested, charged and convicted to prison. Foreign nationals should understand that they have to abide by the laws of other countries.